Forrest's article about the Caravan

Click here to read Forrest Reda's article from JamBase.

Vote for Pat

And watch his video campaign for Driving for Donors 2008.

From Gordon Soderberg

It was a honor to fuel the Dirty Hands efforts earlier this year. I would like to be kept informed when the next caravan will be here and share information with your readers about what Bio Liberty is doing every day for the recovery efforts.

Check out http://www.bioliberty.net for updates on the greening of New Orleans.

Here are some photos I took during the last trip.

All my best,
Gordon Soderberg

From Ame and Alex in New Orleans

Hey Dirty Hands, We both returned to New Orleans this week. It's nice to be here and to see the state of our organization. We were welcomed into the Dirty Hands House on the corner of Fourth Street and Dryades by Texas Tony, Sarah, Francis, Vince, Dean, Saffron, Ezra, Gabby, Zack, and Sean.

Two blocks away from Noah's Ark Church, we are staying in a narrow, long house. Upon opening the front door, you see the office where there is a desk, computer, file cabinet, some chairs, and beautiful hardwood floor. Connecting to the office is the living room with its carpeted floor and two couches. There is one bathroom here. Keep walking and you will pass through two bedrooms containing numerous mattress' before reaching the cozy kitchen. Behind the kitchen is a small storage room, off of which is a back door to the concrete patio behind the house.

We have enjoyed hearing about the projects that the Dirty Hands have worked on since the Caravan left New Orleans. Today, some of us went to a house in the lower Ninth Ward that has become a new project for the group. It was eye-opening to walk into a home and see such wreckage - appliances, furniture, and other items sit in mounds. Black mold spreads on walls across the house presenting serious health hazards. Dirty Hands volunteered to gut this home to prevent its seizure. The owner is elderly.



Also, Alison and Oscar returned this week with their friend Petra Nemcova. Petra is the woman that connected Alison to Sean, so it was wonderful to let her see what her action inspired. Petra founded a global organization called Happy Hearts with the mission to improve children's lives through education, sustainability, and technology. Her first US project is at a New Orleans school, which culminated this week.

Tomorrow night, we will be sitting down as a house to talk about the direction for our group. We recognize how critical it is to define short-term and long-term goals. We will be having this conversation over dinner.

-Ame Eaton and Alex Rose

Diaries of the Dirty Hands Clan

I don't know if you remember me talking to you on the bus about the book my friend Kaf and I were compiling. We have already been given about 30 amazing entries from some of the dirty hands clan but a lot of people weren't in the right frame of mind at the time to share a little piece of their hearts. After this past month of looking back at the experience and I know a lot of us are feeling a bit lost or like we're missing something and each other, we've decided now is the right time to let everyone know that we are still REALLY excited about this and about what this book could become, and we want EVERYONE to submit something..stories about things that happened on the caravan, thoughts about how you felt when we were all doing these amazing things, diary entries, pictures, photos, drawings, anything and everything! Good things, bad things, real emotion. It might take a little bit of your energy but think, we will be able to share these feelings, and stories with each other and maybe other people in the future too and it will help us reconnect with that amazing experience that changed all of us in some way. So please send us your entry, we live at...

1804 Water Street
Kelowna, BC
V1Y1K5
Canada

Or email it to rebeccamorgan122@hotmail.com

I know it's out of the country for most of you but please, please, please make the effort for all of us! We want so much material! We want to document the experience by having something special from each and every one of you! So help us make the book (titled...unless someone else has a better idea!)..

Diaries of the Dirty Hands Clan
(Stories from the Caravan)!

Love from the crazy Aussie and Kiwi, Becca and Kaf xxx And anyone is welcome to come and visit us. We have an amazing, huge house in a beautiful city on a lake, with a big back yard for lots of tents! Love xx

From Alex Rose

Hi Friends,

I saw a lot of Dirty Hands last night at The Third Wave screening and then at the bar afterwards. It's so exciting for me to see how many of us have become more engaged with New Orleans and other volunteering opportunities. I know I'm not the only one that came home transformed and it was so special to hear how other people on our journey have changed since getting back home.

Let's step back 5 weeks. The day before most of us left New Orleans, Paul encouraged us to do something concrete. We built a driveway and sidewalk at Noah's Ark church. We made a garden. We fixed the landscaping at the church. I think back and realize I made a lasting impact in the rebuilding process. It's small, but it is real.

A few people in Pastor Willie's congregation told me that our caravan was a beacon of hope for their community. All of us who left New Orleans came home transformed with knowledge and awareness to share with others. I know my experience has inspired other people. I'm sure yours does too. And now, I look at the new website and I feel the same way. http://www.thedirtyhands.org/ I can't wait to see photos of the Youth Center we will be building and the music festival stage in the Lower 9th Ward. This is more than talk guys, what we are doing is real and it is helping people whose lives are still not back in place since the levees broke.

The Dirty Hands in New Orleans are working hard to build a home for us. They are doing this while they are also making a difference in the neighborhood they are living in. I get goosebumps thinking about Sarah, Vince, and Saffron yesterday telling me about the joy they feel of continuing the Dirty Hands mission.

I will be back in New Orleans later this month and will have a place to stay. I am not going to take this for granted. Thank you to all of us!

Alex Rose
Venice, CA

Broken Levee Blues

aaah levi... yesss... concerts in the 9th... sounds good to me... it was music that brought us together in the first place... well... here's a song that i cant help playing over and over... reminds me of the first time i crossed the levee a short month ago... but one thing is different... thanks to y'all... the haunting ending (listen closely) has a new meaning... somebody cares... you've all proved that... more people will care... yeah... please give a listen.... m'ska

Update from Levi Holiman

Hello All. Levi saying hey and I hope all of my new fellow dirty hands friends are doing well.

I have kept a dialogue going and am exchanging ideas with "Dan" from the 9th Ward. Dan spoke to some us on our last night as a group in NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) on the front porch of Noah's Ark Church. Dan is a real man with honor and a true love for doing the right thing. He thanks me every time we are on the phone. When he does this, all I can do is think to myself "he has no idea that I don't do this for a thank you. I do it because it feels good and it's just the right thing to do." At this point, I am just honored to know him and hope to be considered as honorable as I grow in life.

So Dan calls me yesterday, Tuesday May 25th, 2008. He tells me that they are looking to build a music stage in the 9th for concerts to be played there. It's purpose will be to breathe some creative life into the neighborhood while creating jobs and bring money in so this community doesn't have to live or die based on donations. They intend to rebuild to stand on their own two feet.

So I started calling everyone I knew that builds stages or has access to materials to build stages, or people who know how to build stages. The calls and emails are out and now I pray for some answers. I fell asleep last night with this situation on my brain.

When I woke up this morning, I had a little bit of an epiphany. I somehow managed to forget that I am really great friends with a guy who makes huge concerts happen all over the world including war torn Iraq. (3 trillion plus spent so far. Thanks Bush!) Anyway, I have emailed and called this buddy of mine and for lack of better words "pitched" an idea that would make the 9th the next Woodstock. I'm sure it has been mulled over before and there are a million hoops to jump through but if it is possible, this guy can do it.

We'll call the Woodstock in the 9th our Plan B because it requires so much. Plan A is to get people to donate time to volunteer. If they just can't pry themselves away from their cubicles for a week or two, then people can donate money. Valerie (my girlfriend) and I will be there on or around June 23rd for a week or two. We will be staying at the Dirty Hands house with Vince, Sarah Cooly and the rest of the folks. There will be 3 other spots to stay there and I hope some of you get on it and come back out.

There is a HOME DEPOT right across from the Super Dome in NOLA. I was there a handful of times on the last trip. I spent my own money, Mariska spent more of her own money and Pam, Vince's mom spent even more money to buy tools and dust masks for our church project. The point is we can do things as simple as buy HOME DEPOT gift cards for the folks who are there. Send them to me or the Dirty Hands folks that are there right now. We can go into projects with the ability to work. A card to a place like Home Depot will give us the ability to do it well and with the right tools.

I'm not much for blogging but I am for making NOLA a better place. Please, just because most of us aren't there anymore, doesn't mean it isn't in need. Keep giving. Spread the word. That is a great form of giving. Sean and Oscar and Allison did it with us. Look how much good has come out of that.

Another thing we really need is a person to ORGANIZE in the DIRTY HANDS CLAN. We have man power. We have access to the Internet and potentially anyone across the globe. We need a person who has the skill set, mind and passion to really keep this thing going in an organized manor. We need to know who is in NOLA at what times so that they can be supported. We need to know what projects are on the table. We need pictures and videos of these problems to get people immersed in what we are fighting for. Let's recruit NEW MEMBERS OF THE DIRTY HANDS.

If you are that person or know that person that can organize this, please speak up. We need someone who can send out daily emails to keep people informed. Someone who will update all of our projects and keep the info flowing. That is our key. Maybe it's a handful of people who will spread the work out so it isn't more than an hour or two of work per day.

Let's make a task list. Then let's have people volunteer to do that task. Put their name on it and a projected completion date so they know that they are accountable.

I also believe we should start a board of members and leaders. Most of them should be people who are in NOLA the most. They will take in ideas, figure out what is possible, compile a list of goals both short and long term. These members will be the lifeblood in the growth of THE DIRTY HANDS PEOPLE.

We should also take heed to organizations who have gotten too big for their britches and gone the wrong direction like THE RED CROSS who spends over 1.3 BILLION in employee salaries every year. An organization who never even went to the 9th ward to help when people were dying yet spent 120 million in Katrina "help us" advertising and 80 million in thank you cards. Those people should be held accountable for at least some of those deaths because they were put in a place where they could have helped but didn't. SHAME ON THE RED CROSS.

Anyway, I'll step off of my Soapbox. I hope to see as many of you as possible in NOLA around June 23rd. I wish you all the best and let me know your thoughts.

Respect.

Levi

News from the New Orleans’s trenches:

(update written by Elizabeth Johnson)

I spoke to Stephen, Sarah, and Dean last night, with
Texas Tony in the background holding down the fort.
Ezra, Adrienne and Zach found a ride off craigslist
and left a few days ago. John and Tawny had to go, and
Dan Fountain has been with Dirty Hands on and off with
his mother, too. As of yesterday, May 24, the
remaining Dirty Seven are Vince, Saffron, Dean,
Stephen, Tony, Sarah, and Francis.

They report they're doing really well, and projects
and non-profit status are moving forward. They are
working with legal counsel, Tracy Washington, who's
helping with the application of the 501 c 3. They've
been working with Rev. Willie, doing some demo work,
laying dry wall, and getting the medical lab next door
to the church back up. That will be a big asset to the
community so things like HIV testing can be done.
though he's never done one before, learning as he
goes, Stephen is setting up the Noah's Ark web page.
They have also worked some with Common Ground and are
roundtabling with other New Orleans non-profits to
prioritize efforts so they can be most effective. A
health clinic is in the works, and Stephen says
there’s been some case management, working with
battered women, and counseling programs.

The group wrote their (our) mission statement and it
looks like the ambitious project in the works is
building a much-needed youth center. They’ll need
funding for contractors and materials once the plans
are developed. (Fundraising: That's where we come in!)
They are conferencing with Sean and Alison on Monday,
when they’re back from their success at Cannes. In
such a short time, it’s clear that Dirty Hands is
doing everything to immerse themselves with people in
the community and making a direct impact on New
Orleans, one project at a time!

The non-profit might take about 6 months, so for now
tax-deductible donations are being done through Noah's
Ark Church. The Extreme Makeover show was a HUGE
success and has brought national attention to the
cause and made the efforts even that more legit. The
Dirty Hands got to go the premiere party for the show
– lucky devils - and had a blast! Celebs they are
indeed.

And how can Dirty Hands not be celebs after Vince’s
streaking through the streets??! When they all were
sleeping one night, someone came in the window and
took off with Vince’s laptop. Vince woke up and tore
after the thief – in the buff. Dean followed shortly
after in his underwear, asking neighbors, “Which way
did the naked guy go?” Good news! Vince caught up with
the guy, explained that they were volunteers helping
out, and luckily the guy gave it back. Victoire! Not
only did Vince and Dean wow the neighbors with their
Greek physiques, but they let all know that Dirty
Hands, legs, feet and all, are living amongst them and
there to stay.

I think the biggest impression I had after speaking to
them is that they are working so intensely, without
much Internet or contact with the outside world, it’s
hard not to feel isolated. They were truly surprised
to hear how much the rest of Dirty Hands are still in
daily touch with each other and how much we miss them
and are with them in spirit. We may have expanded the
net out to LA, Canada, Australia, Ibiza, New York, San
Fran, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Seattle,
Santa Barbara or wherever – but we are still with
y'all in N’Awlins! We're admiring! Keep on trucking!

As soon as we all left, Sean gave each of the
remaining folks a stipend to take care of food, rent
and personals. Very, very cool. I know for most of us
who took off, it’s been a shocker getting back to real
life for one reason or another, and support really
helps indeed.

Marisca (sweetheart) sent them a care package. I’m
sure anything, especially gift cards to Home Depot and
Whole Foods, would be appreciated. Their address is:

2707 Dryades
New Orleans, LA
70115

P.S. Update on Chris Jasmine: He’s out of jail with a
$250 fine to pay within 28 days. It was hell in OPP –
people fighting for food or starve to death. In Chris’
words: “Ridiculous.” The cops arrested Chris under
the bridge where he gets food and where nearby he goes
to the temp offices for work. The cops beat him and
choked the food out of his mouth. He’s ok now,
considering, and ready to work. Chris is supposed to
contact Stephen, who is going to get him connected to
some furniture. Hope abounds.

From Elizabeth Johnson

On our last night in New Orleans, we Dirty Hands all
partied down on Bourbon St., celebrating a trip of our
lives. When my cell phone was stolen, a kind, local
man named Chris Jasmine flagged the thief and helped
me get it back. To thank him, I bought him drinks and
food. He took to us all, staying to party with us,
meeting a lot of Dirty Hands and loving our energy. As
we were leaving, he hugged me and teared up. "I don't
want you people to go. There just aren't people like
you. It's depressing around here, you don't know."

Prior to Katrina, Chris lived in the 9th Ward
downstairs from his 85 year old mother. When the storm
hit, the two of them climbed to the roof and rode the

house as it was swept away. He lost track of her in

the chaos - both were dispersed in Texas somewhere. He
hasn't see her or heard from her since, unsure whether
she is even still alive. Chris returned to New
Orleans, but as with so many who lost their homes,
became homeless, living as a tent dweller under the
bridge.

Just recently, things were looking up for Chris. FEMA
finally got him a place to live for one year, though

he has no furniture or job and has to pay his own

utilities. I've been in contact with him since we left
New Orleans, primarily through his sister Cat since he
doesn't have a phone, though he is sometimes able to
call from St Joseph's church. I've been trying to hook
him up with Dirty Hands to keep him moving forward,
get him furniture. He's been motivated and hopeful

since meeting all of us, and his job search was going
well.

But things took a downturn again yesterday. I got a

call from his sister, Cat, that he was arrested for
"public drunkenness." Since Katrina, the cops/military
police regularly haul off people randomly, especially
those under or associated with the bridge. They are
arrested with trumped up charges ranging from
drunkenness to trespassing, and a rap sheet is built
up quickly, so those with priors or warrants are held
even longer.

Chris is in jail at New Orleans Parish Prison (known
as OPP), right near the Superdome. Conditions in OPP
were notoriously bad right before the storm, but
afterwards are even worse. Buildings are still down,
black mold and evidence of toxic waste still remain,
overcrowding, neglect, violence, etc. still haunt the
place. This article from "Dollars & Sense: The
Magazine of Economic Justice," describes the
horrendous and chilling events at OPP right after the
storm:
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2006/0306gerharzhong.html

ACLU has put OPP on its national prison project,
calling it "Abandoned and Abused."

http://www.aclu.org/prison/conditions/26198res20060809.html

But a more recent piece from NPR, which mentions a
volunteer from Common Ground, shows that not much has
changed:
http://mustv.com/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12890196

It's shocking and shameful to me to hear that this is
America and that someone we know is there. What to do?

He's got a court date today, bond set at $300 but with
a prior warrant out, it's unclear what will happen.

Chris' story seems sadly all too typical in NO. Just

as you get a leg up, they cut off your arm.

Chris' sister and her husband want to get involved

with Dirty Hands, which will in turn help Chris when

he gets out. Getting locals involved in Dirty Hands is
key to our longevity, success, and reward. The
underlying and most despicable destruction of Katrina
is due not just from the buildings lost, but the
aftershock and breakdown of multi-generations of
families and communities who have not been allowed
back or are unable to contribute to their own
surroundings.

Some have become so overwhelmed by the obstacles, the
slow recovery, and the neglect that a futility has
taken over. I met one man who told me of the family he
misses. Before the storm his NO family was 100 strong,
going back to his great-great-grandmother. After the
storm, he was the only one left, the others either
dead or dispersed. Who do you turn to in times of
crisis when there's always crisis? Many of the locals
we saw like Malik and Augie at Common Ground were able
to activate their lives when they are offered hope,
work and community. Dirty Hands can be that
foundation, too.

Chris' sister Cat is a sweetheart and her husband is a

skilled carpenter, welder, painter looking for work. I

gave her Rev. Keen's number to help Dirty Hands, so
they can meet people that may lead to other positive
things. If anyone in NO has other ideas and for
updates on Chris, please contact them: Cat 504 312
8678

Chris is currently at Orleans Parish Prison,
Email : info@opcso.org
Mailing Address : 2800 Gravier St. New Orleans, LA
70119 Phone Number : 504-822-8000

Alison invites us to screening of The Third Wave

Wednesday June 4
7pm
Directors Guild of America
7920 Sunset Boulevard
RSVP to mattg@dga.org or 310-289-5373

This is a free screening but you must RSVP.

Sean MacIntyre's article on the journey in Monsters and Critics.

Click here to read the story.

Dean Kennedy in Perth, Australia newspaper

Click here to read an article about Dean's involvement with Dirty Hands and New Orleans in his hometown newspaper.

loveworkdance

WOW... am blown away by the latest nola update (thanks francis!!)...

so much done in one week... proud of y'all... and - humbled - and fueled by your sacrafices...... after jumping off bus in houston to fly home (a work call for thurs)... it wasnt till this weekend that i was able to begin processing the crazy life-changing bus ride....

from heart racing march in austin to heart wrenching stories in nola... from not knowing a single person on the bus to sharing almost-famous-tiny-dancer moments... (er.... bus#3 daft-punk- live-dancing in the aisle moment)...

and now reading about the latest honest-to-blog "texas tony dancing" moment... i am reminded of an old saying... a saying that i think i am finally starting to understand:

LOVE like you've never been hurt
WORK like you're not getting paid and
DANCE like no one is watching....

Thanks to all! peace M'ska

Sydney Morning Herald story about Alison and Oscar's film at Cannes

Click here to read the story.

Note from Francis Molloy in New Orleans

This morning we all attended the church service here at the Lutheran Church, where we introduced ourselves and our stories to the congregation. Following this the ashes of one of the members of the congregation were scattered in the flower garden which many of us had spent much of the week creating. We largely took most of the rest of the day off, playing basketball with the local kids, catching up on rest and writing up grant proposals. We did manage to look at a prospective house for rent as a base for our operations, and have inquired after another.

Yesterday was a big day for networking, we went to the World Asthma Day event at city hall, and met with different people from the department of health, discussing and learning about the various health issues affecting NOLA post katrina, in particular mold , and what we need to know to perform mold remediation. The free food at this event was much appreciated. Later in the afternoon a few of us attended a meeting called The Organisers Roundtable, a meeting of activists involved in the local scene focused on the cooperation between different socially concious organisations in NOLA. Again we made great contacts and again we experienced southern hospitality in the form of food. I think many of us are taking a liking for the food of the south.

Thursday & Friday we completed several little things around the community. Assisting to clean up the property of a household which had just lost a father and husband, and whom could only afford to hold the funeral in the home. We helped Pastor Walker with a few things, moving items from a storage unit and patching up the exterior walls of Noah's Ark. Other little tasks include helping to hang drywall.

On Friday we became aware, after stumbling on an article in that day's newspaper, that Linda Hobbs, who's story of deprerssion and life in a FEMA trailer inspired many of us to remain in NOLA, was being sued by the local council in an attempt to force her out of her trailer. We took action upon learning of this, contacting Tracie Washington, the civil rights lawyer whom we have been working with. We are monitoring this situation and are going to to attempt to help Linda how we can. We hope that we can perhaps help her get some momentum towards getting her life back together.

We largely seem to be focused now on gaining momentum through assisting to clean up and rebuild the medical laboratory which is adjacent to the lot where Pastor Walker's health clinic will be built.

Everyone has enjoyed having Dan's mother with us over the past few days, her direction and assistance in the gardening was invaluable, and her genrosity in buying us groceries was immensely appreciated. On Thursday we went to dinner with her downtown, and followed this by a visit to Bourbon Street, where Texas Tony, earned some $$ by performing poetry on the street, and then followed it up with some spectacular display's of dancing for someone his age in one of the bars.

Everything is well with us. Things seem to be just falling into place for us, the frequent occurance of instances of serendipity seem unreal. Atlhough the danger was again underscored this evening by another shooting up the road, and other similar events in the neighbouring vicinity.

Note from Elizabeth Johnson

Hi Dirty Hands,

The three buses consolidated into two after a
deliciously catered last meal in front of the new
Tempe Arts Center. We got back to Coachella around
2:30 am Thursday morning, so a group of us camped on
the Coachella grounds. It was surreal to say the least
- no concert goers around and all the groundskeepers
wondering who the hell these dirty people in tents
were. But what a perfect way to bookend the trip!

I'm still processing all the amazing experiences and
exposure we got! I've got over 600 photos and will
share those once I sift through them.

There's a lot to be done for New Orleans, even from
our respective places. I just spoke to Pastor King in
New Orleans. Currently our Dirty Hands folks are
staying at his church. He's set them up with showers,
beds, and use of his kitchen. But a more permanent
home is needed since many more of us Dirty Hands
originals will be returning this summer and will need
a place to stay.

So, let's talk about fundraisers to keep Dirty Hands
going!! I also believe getting the locals involved is
crucial, too. I've been keeping in contact with my NO
friend Chris (who saved my cell phone) to get him
involved and furniture in his FEMA house.

Pastor mentioned that Dirty Hands t-shirts are in the
works to be made and could be ready within a week. I'm
not sure who the point person is or who designed them,
but it's a great idea. How many to be made? Sold
through Dirty Hands website? Anyone?

Pastor King said he will be in Los Angeles June 1-10,
and that might be a great time to have a fundraiser.
Suggestions? Place? Anyone performing around then? We
could do one big one in LA or several from San Diego,
Los Angeles, Oakland, etc.

Keep the caravan rolling,

Elizabeth Johnson
323-913-3992
shebaroman@yahoo.com

Facebook and Myspace

Add Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13098959018

Add Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/dirtyhandscaravan

First post

In time I expect that a more permanent and robust webpage will emerge to connect the Dirty Hands. In the meantime, we can use this blog to let each other know what is going on in New Orleans, what the experience has meant to us, and what we are doing in our own communities.

I am putting together all of the contact info that I have and will email it to everyone. This may take me a few more days.

I am still making sense of the trip and have started sharing my story with the people back home. This was a life changing experience and I have a long journey ahead.

Please email me any information you would like me to post on this page.

Sincerely,
Alex Rose
dirtyhandscaravan@gmail.com